In the morning of Jun 17, at about 5 am, we (my dog and I) were almost headed back home when I spotted a roe deer standing in the middle of the river.
The river is, currently, very shallow in most parts (barely over my ankle).
We sneaked up closer to the roe deer, and I saw it was the local resident buck, the territorial male who is also exceedingly beautiful.
He is the most beautiful male roe deer I have ever beheld, and his daughter is equally stunning.
He is also entirely deserving of his good looks as he is a devoted, protective father and mate (most of this year’s posts concerning female/fawn protection involve him in particular).
He is fun to be around, too. He is not very concerned with us when he is alone (no family to protect), and he allows us to observe him for long periods even if he has noticed us.
At times, he even slightly interacts with us – watching us, stepping close and retreating to see our reaction, hiding in the grasses and then emerging to check if we are still tracking him, visually, etc.
As this male was standing in the middle of the stream, he did not notice us, however.
At first, I believed he was drinking but then I saw long ‘waterweeds’ hanging from his mouth like spaghetti.
It was adorable and I had to fight hard not to laugh. But this male could pull it off – he looked as dignified as ever munching on his spaghetti weeds.
It is unnecessary, at the moment, to submerge one’s head to get to the aquatic vegetation (including the species that grown wholly underwater).
The river is just like a meadow and the weeds can be plucked much like any forbs. In fact, meadows are, presently, more challenging with the grasses above one’s head.
Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with the species of aquatic vegetation. I know that these are very typical plants that grow in any lotic (running, not stagnant) river.
It sort of resembles hair and it flows in the current.
It could be a species which represents the Ceratophyllum genus but I would not vouch for it because Ceratophyllum species look shorter in the photographs and also sturdier (this particular weed becomes very thin when pulled out of water and, almost rope-like).
The male buck was thereby feeding on these submerged macrophytes, and it seemed that he was not simply idly snacking but truly filling his stomach with this type of forage.
I am aware of moose that forage on aquatic plants in order to obtain the otherwise limited sodium.
Currently, there is plenty of forage but it is not browse-type (woody plants, forest vegetation). Mostly, the roe deer (especially, the buck) have been feeding on hayfield vegetation.
Perhaps such vegetation calls for particular metabolism as roe deer are woody plant browsers.
Graminoids might bulk up in their small stomachs, and the roe deer might be in need for some ‘metabolic tricks’ to improve digestion by taking dietary supplements.
For example, sodium regulates pH level and pH level might bear influence on gut microbiota.
Alternatively, sodium or other constituents of the aquatic vegetation might not be directly involved in regulating the internal environment but rather they might offer microorganisms or food for the existing gut microorganisms to aid digestion.
However, I also suspect that sodium (or some other key nutrient found in submerged vegetation) might play a role in preparing male’s body for spermatogenesis (or the initiation of some testosterone-related pathways).
Just 3 days ago, I observed a male badger by the river possibly foraging there even though it was not the most optimal food-acquisioning habitat for a badger (Badger observation (Jun 14, 2024) – hormonal production, mating activity, photoperiod impact and environmental adjustments in males).
I hypothesized that the badger male (for whom a second peak in mating activity might be initiated now or within 2 months) might be depleting his sodium stocks as the social engagements as well as the mating prospects could lead to increased urination, secretion of gland exudates etc (Badger observation (Jun 14, 2024) – hormonal production, mating activity, photoperiod impact and environmental adjustments in males).
Roe deer males are also on the brink of their mating period which should start 1 – 1.5 months from now.
I wonder if sodium (or other nutrients contained in aquatic vegetation and riparian forage) might assist in preparing the body for the new reproductive stage.
If both the badgers and the roe deer are, presently, visiting riverside restaurants, and their mating activity should peak/start in 1 – 2 months, it is possible that they are acquiring nutrients to condition their bodies for the shift and to perhaps initiate the activity of the respective organs.
As sodium is not a limiting nutrient in humans, there is not much information regarding its beneficial role in male reproduction.
However, for animals it might be a limiting nutrient, and both roe deer and badger males might be seeking it out in order to prepare for their investment in the future of their family and their population.
Notes by Ieva 